Jail rappers release first album

Philippines – Inmates from Olongapo District Jail with a flair for rapping have finally released their first album filled 40 rap songs about love, life, and the bureau.

The rap songs were composed and developed by the inmates inside jail, from the groups G-Town and Dispulo. Thirty of the songs from the album are sung by G-Town, while the rest of the songs are from Dispulo.
Eighteen got recorded in G-Town’s launching album, including the two songs dedicated to Olongapo DJ personnel: “BJMP, Liwanag ng Buhay” and “Salamat Sa.”

The rappers’ performance of the two songs at a program in BJMP III moved Regional Director Jail Senior Superintendent Arnulfo P. Obias, who arranged for their recording.

The rappers’ first album was recently released selling 71 copies out of the 96 discs produced.

Meanwhile, Olongapo DJ Warden Jail Superintendent Andre W. Tauli said they already have the support of the Mayor’s Office. Also, FM Stations like Bonggo and OK Radio are already playing the inmates’ raps.

“The story of G-Town and Disipulo is the story of how we rebuild lives inside our jails. One of our commitments is to make every jail an atelier for the limitless talents behind bars,” said Jail Chief Superintendent Diony D. Mamaril, OIC of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The “G” in G-Town stands for Gapo, short for Olongapo, according to personnel in the jail. With four members remaining from the original six, G-Town is composed of a rapper, a singer, and a composer. It was formed in October 2010.

Two months after, Disipulo was created, another four-member group inspired by G-Town. The name was chosen to describe their being disciples of poetry in rap music.